Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
One big bowl
Joe Fleming
The attached photo is a large ash bowl about 20" in diameter and around 9" deep. It's the biggest bowl I have ever turned by 3" to 4". About 1/2" thick at the rim and about 3/4" in the bottom. Mahoney oil finish.
It's a commission. If they like it, there is probably an order for a second one. Yeah! 
Why so thick on the bottom?
Dick Coers
That has to be pretty heavy! Going to be tough to pass at the table. Did you core it out? Sure hope so!
Re: Why so thick on the bottom?
Joe Fleming
It's for a display in an office. Given the bottom is concave, maybe its only 1/2" in the center. I didn't actually measure - just guessing.
OK, now I have to go and measure it. 
Re: Why so thick on the bottom?
Joe Fleming
About 3/4"
Re: One big bowl
Barry Irby
I have made a few that are 16" or as close to that as I could get on my lathe. A lot more work than a 12" I'm sure a 20" one would be even more.
I have made some smaller bowls that had thicker bottoms. Being bottom heavy made them stable and sit nece. May be a good idea for a display bowl.
That's ash? Good looking ash. I would have thought it was cherry from the picture. Did you stain it?
I like it a lot.
Re: One big bowl
Joe Fleming
Mahoney oil finish. No stain. Wood was from Colorado. Ash was way more brown than what we get in San Diego.
Nice!
Tony-Memphis
Can't help wanting to touch it! Ha! I can't imagine turning something that size. i like the subtle rim.
Tony
Re: One big bowl
David Walser
That would make a great bowl for bread-making. Plenty of room to get into the bowl for kneading the dough and the heavy bottom would make it stable. Good job!
Re: One big bowl
Don Stephan
Did you have any hesitation to include the pith?
Re: One big bowl
Joe Fleming
Don,
I didn't include the pith. About 3/4" away from the pith.
Re: One big bowl
Don Stephan
That spot at about 10 o'clock just below the rim sure fooled me!